Sixth annual Difference Makers celebrates outstanding work with kids in our community
CINCINNATI – Tonight Cincinnati Museum Center celebrated the 2013 Difference Makers. Six individuals and three organizations were honored for their exemplary work on behalf of local children.
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal aims to impact the lives of children every day through education and childhood enrichment programs. Their sixth annual Duke Energy Children’s Museum Difference Maker event recognizes those individuals, organizations and agencies in our community who share the Museum Center’s commitment and passion to better the lives of children.
The Difference Makers event celebrated the forty-three individuals and organizations nominated by their peers and community for their tremendous work to make a difference in children’s lives in the tri-state and beyond.
The 2013 Difference Makers are:
· Breakthrough Cincinnati – Offers an academically-rigorous program to talented low-income children that prepares them for future success in college. Urban Hamilton County
· C-Forward, Inc. – Information Technology consultants who are encouraging students to attend school and achieve literacy by donating time and books and adopting a class. Covington/Northern Kentucky
· Sarah Cadle – Providing new backpacks, school supplies and confidence to students. Clermont and eastern Hamilton County
· Aubrey Clark – 7-year old spreading love and care to children in hospitals, inspired by her own experience. Germantown
· Crayons to Computers – Provides a “store” for teachers at disadvantaged schools to shop for supplies to level the playing field for their students. Northern Kentucky/Southwest Ohio/Southeast Indiana
· Ron Dumas – Founder of Reaching Out For Kids, a free golf clinic that focuses on youth. North Avondale
· Don Freed – Volunteer with Cincinnati’s Ronald McDonald House who is an inspiration and role model to his fellow volunteers. Cincinnati
· Sharon Johnson – An educator introducing technology into the classroom and helping prepare students for college. Cincinnati
· Vishnu Paranandi – Freshman at Wyoming High School who has been active in the Make It Happen service club, making a difference locally and globally. Wyoming
Forty-three individuals, businesses and agencies were nominated for the 2013 Duke Energy Children’s Museum Difference Makers. This inspiring group was nominated by their peers and community for their tremendous work to make a difference in the lives of children in the greater Cincinnati area.
At the event, PNC Grow Up Great was honored as the 2013 Community Honoree for their significant efforts to improve early childhood education and school-readiness. The PNC Grow Up Great initiative began in 2004 with a mission to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. PNC Grow Up Great partners locally with non-profit organizations to foster a foundation in science for preschools. Grow Up Great with Science provides low-income families with support for professional development for preschool teachers and by introducing entire families to science through on-site classroom experiences. PNC Bank employees have donated 12,500 volunteer hours and impacted thousands of children. With over $350 million invested within communities across the country, PNC Grow Up Great has dedicated their mission as strong advocates for the future success of today’s children. For more information, please visit www.pncgrowupgreat.com and www.youtube.com/PNC or follow @PNCGrowUpGreat on Twitter.
Locally, PNC Grow Up Great has supported Cincinnati Museum Center through the ECSITE (Early Childhood Science Inquiry Teacher Education) program. ECSITE is a teacher professional development program designed to sustainably increase the competency and confidence of early childhood teachers in creating science inquiry classroom experiences for their students, thereby maximizing science thinking and key multi-disciplinary developmental skills. The Duke Energy Children’s Museum and ECSITE program were recognized earlier this year as one of four museums nationally to receive the 2013 Promising Practice Award. Supported by MetLife Foundation and administered by Association of Children’s Museums, the Promising Practice Award recognizes U.S. and international children’s museums as essential places for nurturing children to become global citizens.
For more information on the nominees including video profiles of the Difference Makers, visit http://www.cincymuseum.org/difference-maker-2013 .
Proceeds from the event support museum visits and programming for underserved children and families.